Weep with Those Who Weep
Dear Church Family,
One of the sweetest aspects of doing life together in a church family is that we get to celebrate so many of the “highs” of life: births and baptisms, weddings and worship services. It’s such a sweet privilege to walk together through these life events alongside those whom the Lord has called us to live.
But another unexpectedly “sweet” aspect of church life is that we can come together for funerals. Though it is a time marked by sorrow, it is also a gathering drenched in hope. And it is with that in mind that I want to encourage you to view it as a ministry to attend funeral services within our church family when you are able – even if you didn't know the person who has died.
Here are a few reasons why this is both good and deeply Christian.
1. Weep with Those Who Weep
Paul writes in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” As a church family, it’s often easier to do the first. Celebration comes more naturally to us than sorrow. But Christian obedience and love are not selective; church life shares in both the laughter and the tears of others.
When Jesus came to the tomb of Lazarus, “He wept” (John 11:35). Though He knew He would soon raise Lazarus, He still entered into the grief of those He loved. So also, when we attend a funeral, we are imitating Christ’s compassionate heart — joining our tears to His as we weep together.
You may not have known the person who passed away, but someone you love did. A brother or sister in Christ is mourning. By showing up, you minister to your church family by quietly saying, “You don’t have to walk through this valley alone.” You are lending your presence as a small but sacred comfort — a living reminder that the body of Christ suffers and heals together (1 Corinthians 12:26).
2. Witness to the Watching World
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Every funeral is a moment of witness. Many in attendance — friends, neighbors, coworkers — will be unbelievers. They will listen, watch, and wonder how Christians face death.
When the church gathers in reverent love, surrounding the grieving family, singing of the hope of resurrection, and proclaiming the gospel with tenderness, it leaves an indelible impression. It gives unbelievers an opportunity to “See how they love one another” (as the church father Tertullian once said).
In a world that often hides from death, the church does something utterly different: we face it — with tears, yes, but also with triumph. We declare that “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54), that “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), and that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Your quiet attendance is a part of that proclamation — a testimony to the world of our resurrection hope.
3. Worship Together
Funerals, perhaps more than any other service, are worship in the key of longing. They remind us that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26), and that day is coming soon. They invite us to fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, “for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
When we sing together at a funeral we are not merely comforting one family. We are re-preaching the gospel to our own hearts. We are rehearsing for eternity.
And by the way, for those who are raising children and may not be able to get childcare during the service…bring your children, too. Let them hear the hymns of hope. Let them face the realities of death, but also to see that we grieve, but “not as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). And don’t worry if they make a little noise: the laughter or whispers of children are sweet sounds of life in the midst of death — an echo of Jesus’ promise: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). In this way, funerals become classrooms of faith, where even the youngest hearts learn that Christ conquers the grave.
A Final Word
Beloved, when we attend a funeral, we are doing ministry. We are loving our neighbor, bearing witness to the gospel, and renewing our own hope. We are standing together, side by side, declaring that death does not have the final word — Jesus does.
So when the next funeral comes, even if you didn’t know the one who has gone home, consider coming. Bring your Bible. Bring your children. Bring your heart ready to comfort and to be comforted. For when the people of God gather to weep, to worship, and to witness, the future hope of Heaven becomes a little nearer to us.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Alex
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4
One of the sweetest aspects of doing life together in a church family is that we get to celebrate so many of the “highs” of life: births and baptisms, weddings and worship services. It’s such a sweet privilege to walk together through these life events alongside those whom the Lord has called us to live.
But another unexpectedly “sweet” aspect of church life is that we can come together for funerals. Though it is a time marked by sorrow, it is also a gathering drenched in hope. And it is with that in mind that I want to encourage you to view it as a ministry to attend funeral services within our church family when you are able – even if you didn't know the person who has died.
Here are a few reasons why this is both good and deeply Christian.
1. Weep with Those Who Weep
Paul writes in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” As a church family, it’s often easier to do the first. Celebration comes more naturally to us than sorrow. But Christian obedience and love are not selective; church life shares in both the laughter and the tears of others.
When Jesus came to the tomb of Lazarus, “He wept” (John 11:35). Though He knew He would soon raise Lazarus, He still entered into the grief of those He loved. So also, when we attend a funeral, we are imitating Christ’s compassionate heart — joining our tears to His as we weep together.
You may not have known the person who passed away, but someone you love did. A brother or sister in Christ is mourning. By showing up, you minister to your church family by quietly saying, “You don’t have to walk through this valley alone.” You are lending your presence as a small but sacred comfort — a living reminder that the body of Christ suffers and heals together (1 Corinthians 12:26).
2. Witness to the Watching World
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Every funeral is a moment of witness. Many in attendance — friends, neighbors, coworkers — will be unbelievers. They will listen, watch, and wonder how Christians face death.
When the church gathers in reverent love, surrounding the grieving family, singing of the hope of resurrection, and proclaiming the gospel with tenderness, it leaves an indelible impression. It gives unbelievers an opportunity to “See how they love one another” (as the church father Tertullian once said).
In a world that often hides from death, the church does something utterly different: we face it — with tears, yes, but also with triumph. We declare that “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54), that “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), and that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Your quiet attendance is a part of that proclamation — a testimony to the world of our resurrection hope.
3. Worship Together
Funerals, perhaps more than any other service, are worship in the key of longing. They remind us that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26), and that day is coming soon. They invite us to fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, “for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
When we sing together at a funeral we are not merely comforting one family. We are re-preaching the gospel to our own hearts. We are rehearsing for eternity.
And by the way, for those who are raising children and may not be able to get childcare during the service…bring your children, too. Let them hear the hymns of hope. Let them face the realities of death, but also to see that we grieve, but “not as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). And don’t worry if they make a little noise: the laughter or whispers of children are sweet sounds of life in the midst of death — an echo of Jesus’ promise: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). In this way, funerals become classrooms of faith, where even the youngest hearts learn that Christ conquers the grave.
A Final Word
Beloved, when we attend a funeral, we are doing ministry. We are loving our neighbor, bearing witness to the gospel, and renewing our own hope. We are standing together, side by side, declaring that death does not have the final word — Jesus does.
So when the next funeral comes, even if you didn’t know the one who has gone home, consider coming. Bring your Bible. Bring your children. Bring your heart ready to comfort and to be comforted. For when the people of God gather to weep, to worship, and to witness, the future hope of Heaven becomes a little nearer to us.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Alex
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4
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1 Comment
Thanks Alex for your shepherding and caring so much for all of us ..well said and appreciated ..